The Governess of Highland Hall (Edwardian Brides #1)
By Carrie Turansky
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Description:
Worlds lie between the marketplaces of India and the halls of a magnificent country estate like Highland Hall. Will Julia be able to find her place when a governess is neither upstairs family nor downstairs help?
Missionary Julia Foster loves working alongside her parents, ministering and caring for young girls in India. But when the family must return to England due to illness, she readily accepts the burden for her parents’ financial support. Taking on a job at Highland Hall as governess, she quickly finds that teaching her four privileged, ill-mannered charges at a grand estate is more challenging than expected, and she isn’t sure what to make of the estate’s preoccupied master, Sir William Ramsey.
Widowed and left to care for his two young children and his deceased cousin Randolph’s two teenage girls, William is consumed with saving the estate from the financial ruin. The last thing he needs is any distraction coming from the kindhearted-yet-determined governess who seems to be quietly transforming his household with her persuasive personality, vibrant prayer life, and strong faith.
While both are tending past wounds and guarding fragile secrets, Julia and William are determined to do what it takes to save their families—common ground that proves fertile for unexpected feelings. But will William choose Julia’s steadfast heart and faith over the wealth and power he needs to secure Highland Hall’s future?
My Rating: ✰✰✰✰ (4 out of 5 stars)
My Thoughts:
First of all, I’d like to say Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Since the beginning of the holiday season (Yay! Who doesn’t love little white lights, cheesy Hallmark Christmas movies, and gingerbread?!) it has been a little difficult for me to keep up with my blog and find any reading time! I finally had time to read The Governess of Highland Hall when on a long car ride to my aunt’s house in Wisconsin for Thanksgiving. I have to admit, I was a little wary of the book. I had never heard of the author, which is surprising for me as I diligently follow all the new Christian fiction titles. Plus, the story seemed like it could be a little too similar to Julie Klassen’s “The Silent Governess”, a book I know and love. As I began reading, it was a most pleasant surprise to be immediately caught up in the story!
The story ships off with the arrival of Julia Foster, who has spent the past 12 years as a missionary in India with her family. Forced to return from her mission because of her father’s illness, she interviews for a position as governess at Highland Hall to help her family out. Even with a rough first impression with the master of Highland, Sir William Ramsey, she is accepted as governess on a trial basis.
William is stubborn and unwilling to trust or love again. His late wife was unfaithful and he is now a very hard man from the experience, especially with his two children. Slowly but surely, Julia melts his cold exterior and he begins to feel again. But obstacles continually keep them apart, from the cold and strict housekeeper, their difference in social status, to a fire! This story has plenty to keep you coming back for more.
I enjoyed this book so much! It was inspirational, romantic, and faith-filled. I loved all the characters (except for the housekeeper and the despicable David, but I’m sure that was the point). The book was also beautifully written. Everything flowed and it was so easy to get caught in the story. I kept picturing the book as a movie in my head, and I love it when I can do that! I cannot wait for future books from this author. I am looking forward to #2 in the Edwardian Brides series!
**I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review. All opinions are entirely my own.
So adorable